CEC Receives Submission on Hazardous Waste Disposal in the Blainville Great Bog (Quebec, Canada)
Image source: Google Earth
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 13 May 2026—On 1 May 2026, a Canadian teenager, in his individual capacity, filed a submission with the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) under Chapter 24 of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA). The Submitter asserts that Canada is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws with respect to the protection of migratory birds and species at risk, and by allowing the release of harmful substances into the environment beyond the legally permitted limits.
In submission SEM-26-003 (Hazardous Waste Disposal in Blainville), the Submitter argues that the project carried out by Stablex is resulting in the disposal of millions of tons of toxic waste in an area of environmental interest. According to the Submitter, excavation activities in the Great Bog of Blainville during bird-nesting periods (allegedly allowed by Canada as part of the waste disposal project) contravene Canadian environmental laws. The Submitter also indicates that water-quality analyses in the area reveal cadmium levels 320 times above the regulatory thresholds and that the Fauvel Lakes ecosystem is thus threatened by this contamination.
The Submitter adds that Quebec, in adopting the Act respecting, in particular, the transfer of ownership of an immovable of Ville de Blainville, known as “Bill 93”, bars judicial recourse that could compel the government to comply with federal environmental laws.
The Submitter cites provisions of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Species at Risk Act, and the Fisheries Act.
The Secretariat will review the submission and determine, within 30 days, whether it meets the requirements of USMCA/CUSMA Article 24.27(1), (2) and (3). For more information, please consult the registry page for SEM-26-003 (Hazardous Waste Disposal in Blainville).
The CEC SEM Process
The CEC Submissions on Enforcement Matters (SEM) process supports public participation in effective enforcement of environmental law in North America. If you have reason to believe that an environmental law is not being effectively enforced by Canada, Mexico or the United States, the SEM process may help address your concerns.
As of 1 July 2020, the CEC’s SEM process is governed by Articles 24.27 and 24.28 of the Environment Chapter of the free trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States.
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